New Discoveries at Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church Shed Light on Jesus' Death, Resurrection

Archaeologists uncover early use of site beneath Holy Sepulcher

A Greek Orthodox monk pours oil into the lamps in front of the edicule of the Holy Sepulcher, which contains the venerated tomb. The three communities responsible for the Holy Sepulcher are the Greek Orthodox, the Latin Catholic, and the Armenian. Every movement and schedule inside the basilica is governed by the Status Quo. / Credit: Marinella Bandini Jerusalem, Apr 18, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA). A stone quarry outside the walls of Jerusalem, later…

New Discoveries at Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church Shed Light on Jesus' Death, Resurrection

This week, Holy Week, is very special for Christians around the world.

Under the church of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem , «not far from the Tomb and Calvary», the excavations led by Francesca Romana Statolla have discovered « a small area with remains of vine and olive growing » some 2,000 years ago. «These findings echo in the Gospel accounts that speak of cultivation areas near the Tomb», highlights the professor of the University La Sapienza of Rome in an email to ABC. John’s Gospel tells that «they took the …

The last moments of Jesus’ life are, from a Christian perspective, the most important moments described in the Gospels. They are also the subject of research by historians, thanks to which we can better understand what happened in Jerusalem almost 2,000 years ago.

Excavations began in 2022, although, because of Holy Week, they have stopped.